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The deadline for the first batch of certified psychology specialists is over, with a whopping total of 195 applicants beating the April 30 cut-off date. Clinical psychology had the most number of applicants (72), followed by assessment psychology (44), counseling psychology (32), industrial/organizational psychology (16), educational psychology (15), developmental psychology (8) and social psychology (8). Submissions came from as far as places like Baguio, Palawan and Zamboanga.

The “early bird award” goes to MARICAR FAJARDO who submitted her application for Educational Psychology & Developmental Psychology on Feb 19. PEACHY FERNANDO was the last person to beat the deadline when she submitted her application and documents for Counseling Psychology on April 30 at 5:00 pm. According to Linda Sevilla and Mercy Mondejar of the PAP secretariat, the submission of applications peaked on April 30, 2009 with a total of 43 applications received. Most of the applications came from Metro Manila with a total of 108 applications. Interestingly, one hundred applications were submitted through courier service or express mail.

All submitted applications and documents will be reviewed by a committee of past PAP presidents who received automatic certifications by virtue of a board resolution last September 12, 2008. The certifications were granted to them in recognition of their important contribution to their respective area of specialization. The first batch of certified psychology specialists will be posted as soon as all applications and documents are reviewed and screened.

The PAP Board approved the Proposed PSYCH BILL last May 2, 2008. It will be presented to the PAP body during the 45th Annual Conventionin Davao City on August 14-16, 2008. Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo, current PAP President, also answered frequently asked questions about the PSYCH BILL here.

Here are excerpts from the Proposed Philippine Psychology and Psychometrics Act of 2008.

AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOMETRICS

A PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST shall be authorized to engage in the professional practice of psychology consisting of the delivery of psychological services:

All applicants for registration to practice psychology and psychometrics shall be required to pass a licensure examination for psychologists and psychometricians.

QUALIFICATIONS TO TAKE THE LICENSURE EXAM FOR PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Applicant:

(a) is a Filipino citizen, a permanent resident, or a citizen of a foreign state/ country which extends reciprocity to the Philippines relative to the practice of the profession;

(b) holds at least a Master’s degree in Psychology and has obtained sufficient credits for the subjects covered in the examination;
(c) has undergone a minimum of 500 hours of supervised practicum/internship/ clinical experience under the auspices of a licensed psychologist or other licensed mental health professional;

(d) is of good moral character; and,

(e) has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.

QUALIFICATIONS TO TAKE THE LICENSURE EXAM FOR PSYCHOMETRICIANS
Applicant:

(a) is a Filipino citizen, a permanent resident, or a citizen of a foreign state/ country which extends reciprocity to the Philippines relative to the practice of the profession;

(b) holds at least a Bachelor?s degree in Psychology and has obtained sufficient credits for the subjects covered in the examination;

A person must apply for registration with the Professional Regulatory Board for Psychology and Psychometrics within three (3) years after its creation, by submitting proof of having fulfilled the requirements under (1), (2), or (3) below, before the effectivity of this Act:

(1) Obtained a doctoral degree in Psychology and had accumulated 3 years of work experience in the practice of psychology in the Philippines;

(2) Obtained a master’s degree in Psychology and accumulated a minimum of 5 years of work experience in the practice of psychology in the Philippines;

(3) Government psychologists or government employees who hold plantilla positions as psychologists presently employed in various government agencies, who have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, accumulated a minimum of 10 years of work experience in the practice of psychology as a government psychologist, and who have obtained continuing professional education in various psychology-related functions.

REGISTRATION WITHOUT EXAMINATION FOR PSYCHOMETICIANS
A person must apply for registration with the Professional Regulatory Board for Psychology and Psychometrics within three (3) years after its creation, by submitting proof of having obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and having accumulated a minimum of 2 years full time work experience in the practice of psychometrics in the Philippines, before the effectivity of this Act.

It is a go signal for the 45th Annual National Convention in Davao Citu on August 14-16, 2008. The convention is co-sponsored by the Brokenshire College, and has the theme “Facing Emerging Issues and Building Better Futures: A Call to Psychologists.” The theme expresses the PAP’s recognition of the important role that psychologists can play in addressing important issues that the country now faces, particularly those that have a strong impact in shaping the future of the Filipino people.

The 45th Annual Convention will feature the Keynote Address of Dr. Cristina J. Montiel (Ateneo de Manila University), a distinguished psychologist with many important accomplishments including, the Distinguished Contribution Award from the Psychologists for Social Responsibility of the American Psychological Association. The convention will also feature several plenary lectures by Philippine psychologists who will speak about current work in Philippine psychology that addresses some of the most important issues facing Philippine society today. Three issues will be highlighted: leadership and governance, indigenization and identity, and the environment. The confirmed plenary speakers include: Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay (Miriam College & Republican College), Dr. Ma. Cecilia Gastardo-Conaco (University of the Philippines, Diliman), Dr. Regina Hechanova (Ateneo de Manila University), Fr. Charlie Inzon, OMI (Notre Dame of Jolo College), Ms. Sherilyn Siy (Miriam College), Dr. Amaryllis Tiglao Torres (University of the Philippines, Diliman), Mr. Marshall Valencia (De La Salle University).

There will also be over 60 oral research paper presentations by psychologists from different universities and organizations in the country organized in thematic sessions and specially organized symposia. These presentations will showcase the most recent research investigations in the different subfields of psychology: with many papers in industrial/organizational psychology, applied social psychology, developmental and adolescent psychology, clinical psychology, among many others.

In addition, there will be over 20 poster research paper presentations on a wide range of topics. Finally, there will be continuing professional education workshops that aim to develop the capacities in the different aspects of psychological scholarship and professional practice. This year’s program is definitely the biggest conference program ever organized by the PAP, with the most number of research paper presentation ever!

The PAP will also have important updates and announcements regarding the Psychology Bill and the Program of Certifying Specialists in the different sub-areas of psychology. You can download registration form, list of Davao City hotels, PAP membership form at www.philippinepsychology.net/pap

In August 14-16, 2008, the PAP will be holding its 45th Annual Convention in Davao City. The convention will be co-sponsored by the Brokenshire College, and will have the theme “Facing Emerging issues and Building Better Futures: A Call to Psychologists.” The theme expresses the PAP’s recognition of the important role that psychologists can play in addressing important issues that the country now faces, particularly those that have a strong impact in shaping the future of the Filipino people.

The 45th Annual Convention will feature several plenary lectures by leading Philippine psychologists who will speak about current work in Philippine psychology that addresses some of the most important issues facing Philippine society today. Three issues will be highlighted: leadership and governance, indigenization and identity, and the environment. There will also be research paper presentations by psychologists from different universities and organizations in the country organized in thematic sessions. These presentations will showcase the most recent research investigations in the different subfields of psychology. Finally, there will be continuing professional education workshops that aim to develop the capacities in the different aspects of psychological scholarship and professional practice.

Last year, the annual convention was held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol with the theme, “One Philippine Psychology: Unity amid Diversity.”Susumu Yamaguchi, PhD from University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan was the keynote speaker.

This year, it will be the second time that the national convention will be held outside Metro Manila. The convention dates will fall on the weekend before the Kadayawan Festival,whenDabawenyos celebrate and give thanks for the land’s bountiful harvest of fruits and flowers.

Around a hundred psychologists, guidance counselors, psychometricians, and graduate students filled the Escaler Hall of Ateneo de Manila University for PAP’s Legal Forum on Understanding the Implications of RA 9258 or the Guidance Act of 2004 last November 16, 2007.

There were three panel discussants: Atty. Carlos Almelor (Head of PRC Secretariat Office), Atty. Theodore Te (faculty member of UP College of Law) and Atty. Minerva Ambrosio (a private practitioner who have worked with different psychologists in courts). The highlights are summarized here.

For the second time after ten years, Miriam College hosted the 21st Psychology Association of the Philippines – Junior Affiliates (PAPJA) National Convention with the theme, Unity amid Diversity: One Philippine Psychology from December 7-8, 2008. Miriam College president, Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, welcomed more than 1,500 delegates from all over the country at the jam-packed Marian Auditorium. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Queena Lee-Chua, who shared anecdotes on her experiences as a researcher and teacher of psychology and math. This was followed by a plenary on the work of psychologists in the different fields, lead by PAP president, Dr. Allan Bernardo for research, Ms. Bing Manlapaz of DDISGV – for human resources management and Mr. Lorenzo Abacan of the Sophia School. Students had a chance to ask or clarify questions and were given helpful tips regarding job application, establishing contacts, doing research and so on. Four simultaneous focus group discussions with the psychology organizations’ representatives from the different schools were held during lunch, which addressed the issue on PAP’s role in helping its junior affiliate members.

Perhaps, the first day’s highlight was the Fourth Inter-School Psychology Quiz Challenge, which was held at the Miriam College High School Covered Court. University of Santo Tomas went for a three-peat as they conquered the title again, followed by second placer, De La Salle University and St. Louis University in third place.

Also, winners for the outstanding undergraduate theses and posters were announced at the end of the program. The outstanding undergraduate thesis went to De La Salle University, followed by Miriam College and Far Eastern University. The outstanding poster researches went to Ateneo de Manila University for the first and third place while the second place went to College of the Holy Spirit.

There were more than 40 workshops the next day and they were all full as usual. The most popular workshop was perhaps Fr. Jaime Bulatao’s An Introduction to Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Fr. Bulatao, PAP founding member, had two workshops where students were treated to an experience of altered states of consciousness and were taught how to apply this to their daily lives.